Find your therapist

I am a UKCP-registered integrative existential psychotherapist with extensive experience in delivering long and short term psychotherapy to individuals and couples. I have 14 years’ experience of working therapeutically in higher education, the NHS and in private practice.

As an integrative existential psychotherapist, I am particularly interested in how we make meaning of the world and of our lives, and how this affects our day to day functioning. Experiencing a crisis of meaning can be a major source of stress and anxiety. If your life starts to feel meaningless, you may end up in a hopeless and depressed state. The therapist’s role is to support you to navigate the difficult feelings that can arise in the process and help you find renewed purpose in your life.

I combine elements from different schools in my approach to psychotherapy, including psychodynamic, humanistic, existential, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness. I have worked with clients experiencing many different issues, including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictions, relationship issues and religious and spiritual matters. I am experienced in supporting team members and managers with work-based conflicts. Additionally, I have considerable experience in supporting clients with diagnosed mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, personality disorders and clinical depression.

Qualifications:

Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy (2012)

Masters Degree in Psychotherapy (2008)

Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision (2008)

Post-Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling, (2004)

Research and Publications:

Conference Presentations:

Cassar, S. (2015). Existential spirituality: navigating the maze of spiritual thinking within existential psychotherapy. World Conference for Existential Therapy. London

Cassar, S. (2011). The Impact of Psychotherapists’ Spiritual Practice, Beliefs and Values on their Clinical Work: preliminary findings. Theology and Therapy 2011 Day Conference. Edinburgh University.

Publications:

Aceijas, C., Waldhäusl, S., Lambert, N., Cassar, S., Bello Corassa, R., (2016) Determinants of health-related lifestyles among university students. Perspectives in Public Health

Vahrmeyer, M and Cassar, S (2017) The paradox of finitude in the context of infinitude: Is death denial an essential aspect of being in the world? Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis. 28.1: 151-165

Cooper, M., Wild, C., van Rijn, B., Ward, T., McLeod, J., Cassar, S., Antoniou, P., Michael, C., Michalitis, M., Sreenath, S. (2015) Pluralistic Therapy for Depression: Acceptability, outcomes and helpful aspects in a multisite study. Counselling Psychology Review. 30(1): 6-20

Cassar, S. and P. Shinebourne (2012). “What does Spirituality Mean to You?: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Spirituality. Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis. 23(1): 133-148.

I offer a counselling relationship within which you feel safe and can explore whatever is causing you distress. With warmth, empathy, humour and respect, I will help you to discover ways of living more resourcefully and authentically, and will try to understand you and your experiences without being in any way judgemental.

I am the founder of V2Recovery where I work with individuals, couples and families. I have a passion in helping and supporting people experiencing any form of relationship distress and aim to make a difference in their quality of life. I use a relational approach in my work that brings the amazing benefits of therapy that attends to emotional and physical health in treating depression, trauma, and addiction. I have special interest in treating Post Traumatic stress.

Hello! I am a qualified, UKCP registered integrative psychotherapist. I am a relational, trauma informed, transpersonal psychotherapist and I work in a mindful, compassionate and creative way both in English and Italian. I also an EMDR trainee therapist and I am able to use this in my work. I am a LGBTQ+ affirmative therapist and welcome clients from diverse backgrounds.

How psychotherapy can help

Whatever your wound or life struggle, I will offer a calm and professional space to help you navigate through your current circumstances and towards a direction that is true and right for you.

Therapy can help with addressing the legacy of the past that might still be holding you back in the present and by helping you develop more and more of your inner resources and qualities

What to expect in the first session

This would be an opportunity to get to know each other with no obligations. It is for you to get a feel of whether you would like to work together on an ongoing basis and for me also to understand whether I might be the best person to help you. I will ask you some questions about what has brought you to therapy and about your background and this will be a good time to ask me any questions as well.

More about me
I came to therapy as a second profession after working in the advertising industry for some years. Originally from Sicily, in the south of Italy, I have called London my home for the past 13 years.

My name is Vicki Rebecca and I run a successful Hypnosis and Neuro Linguistic Programming practice that includes one to one therapy,  classes, retreats, live-in intensives, books and online products
My intention and life’s work is to help you express the greatest and grandest expression of YOU!
I train the core skills of personal and spiritual growth including various means of relaxation and mind mastery in person and in a series of online tools. The practice is supported by my extensive background in health promotion, fitness training, yoga and meditation practice as well as professional qualifications to trainer level in psychotherapy, advanced clinical hypnosis and Neuro Linguistic Programming.

I am a BACP registered and professionally trained and qualified counsellor. I offer a friendly and approachable counselling service to adults and young people (16yrs+) either online, via telephone, or face-to-face in Surbiton and Twickenham.

Making initial contact with a counsellor or psychotherapist can be difficult, and many people feel anxious in doing so. My aim is to make this process as supportive as possible for you; I offer a professional counselling service which is warm, empathic, non-judgemental, and flexible to your needs.

What has brought you here?

People come to counselling and psychotherapy for a variety of reasons. These may include feelings of distress, hopelessness, anxiety and/or unease, and often not knowing quite why you feel this way; a sense that ‘something just doesn’t feel quite right’. Maybe you are experiencing problematic thoughts and behaviours – thinking, feeling and/or behaving in ways which may lead to feelings of embarrassment, shame, or feeling a need to disappear. Or maybe you are experiencing feelings of low self-esteem, feeling depressed and unable to engage with life, feeling pessimistic, misunderstood and alienated.

Sometimes, people feel able to talk about their difficulties with a close friend or relative, but often these problems can feel too difficult, or too personal to discuss within a conventional relationship. Others may feel that they ‘should’ be able to work through such issues on their own, but they somehow feel that they are just too big.

How I can help

With the help of an objective and professional therapist, counselling allows you the opportunity to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment, helping you make sense of the troubling conflicts between your emotions and your behaviour, and allowing the opportunity for positive change happen.

When it comes to relationships, do you • Find it hard to say no to people?  • Find yourself doing all the heavy lifting, but feel people often take you for granted? • Feel left out, lonely and resentful?

NOW IMAGE YOURSELF

• Saying no to people without feeling guilty

• Genuinely looking forward to spending quality time with others

• Being clear and firm with other people about how you feel

• Being open and honest about how you feel, without worrying about the other person’s response.

I am Wenna, and I help people to build healthier relationships

We are often told ‘you need to be nice to be liked’

So, you put yourself last

You accommodate other peoples’ needs before your own; you are always the one who listens and supports others,

But who is there for you?

While it’s okay to be someone’s rock, it’s not okay, if doing so leaves you feeling resentful and dissatisfied

There is a ‘ win-win’ solution. This is to apply the same love that you give others to yourself

It sounds really easy, but this is difficult if you don’t know what your needs and wants are

There are ways of listening to yourself that help you clarify what is acceptable and what isn’t

LET ME SHOW YOU HOW

I am Wenna, and I help people to build healthier relationships

I remember how I used to feel deeply unhappy in my relationships.

I came to realise, a main contributing factor was that fundamentally, I didn’t approve of, or accept myself. I didn’t feel I was worthy of love.

I am happy with my relationships now, because, through therapy, I learnt how to listen to myself and accept me for who I am. I now help people with similar issues.

You can change and grow through this, you deserve peace and happiness just like anyone else

It’s my aim to work collaboratively with you, so that together we can explore how to move your life forward in a positive way.

I also work with couples to help improve communication and bring changes to their relationships.

I look forward to hearing from you

With love x

Wenna

These are some of my professional experience & qualifications

· I am an accredited and registered member of the BACP with over 1600hrs of practice experience

· I work in a local counselling agency & run my own private practice

· I am experienced in counselling a range of issues such as relationship difficulties, bereavement, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, work & academic-related stress…

· Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

· MA Master in Marketing Communication

· OCST Online Counselling Diploma

· Expressive art therapy

· Couple Counselling

In 2011, I decided to have a career change and completed a 3 year long qualification in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Since then I have trained in a range of techniques and models of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Person Centred Counselling, Addiction Therapy, and Couples Counselling and more. I have experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, families, the elderly and disabled.
I have specialist training and experience in the treatment of people with issues of difference and diversity including cultural, faith and ethnicity related problems. 
I originally became a Therapist due to going through some difficult times myself and I firmly believe that this lived experience enables me to better understand and empathise with clients.
I will provide a space for you to give words to your thoughts and feelings, work on your character, and guide you to seek out a new version of yourself. Within therapy you can develop your autonomy and authenticity, and raise your self-esteem whilst remaining compassionately humble and true to your values. 

We are living in challenging times where fear, uncertainty and confusion are commonplace.

Many people I consult with are worried about not fitting in rather than what makes them unique and special. As well as what unites and connects them to others.

It’s easy to become used to over-relying on what others want from us, whilst losing sight of who we really are.

We’ve not been encouraged in many of our communities and establishments to practice self-inquiry and reflection. This is not good for personal autonomy or building courage or confidence to be ourselves.

It’s easy for us to lose touch with how we feel, and be vulnerable to manipulation by others. Perhaps because we are afraid of what others might think of us if we dare to express our differences.

Thankfully coming to counselling and coaching can be a way of learning to manage and cope with uncertainty and the fear of rejection. Helping us to get back in touch with what is important to us, and reconnect with our true feelings and senses.

From here we can grow both mentally and physically stronger and more confident of who we are, and what is right for us and our loved ones.

I always want my work to be first and foremost about being of service to others.

I’ve had an awareness for many years that much of the suffering and terrible things that happen in the world are fundamentally unnecessary and wrong. And that collectively we can help each other to grow stronger and more resourceful individuals and communities.

Self-development is not only an investment in ourselves, but it’s also an investment in society. In that, we are saying we are committed to becoming a better version of ourselves each day for the benefit of our community.

Maybe now is the perfect time to invest in yourself? More and more people are seeking to become more self-actualizing and to reach their true potential.

What would you like to understand better, react differently to, grow stronger in, or be more accepting of?

One of the ways we can do this is by, when possible, making use of the challenges and adversity we face in seeing them as opportunities to grow rather than negativity. Of course, this is not always easy, and we may need help along the way.

I have found through activities like ‘Wim Hof method’ cold therapy training, that doesn’t kill us can most definitely can make us stronger.

If we take sensible strategic risks and practice relaxing into our fight-flight responses, we can develop the resilience we need through gentle repetitive exposure to what we find challenging. This can help us to re-write our responses.

As well as reducing the need to over-rely on medication to function, which also risks putting harmful toxins into our bodies as well as having potentially negative side effects including addiction.

It’s far better to get back in touch with our true nature the way many of our ancestors were.

I am intuitive and highly spiritual which underpins the way I work. I consider myself to be a wounded healer; having had the lived experience of trauma and healing from it.  My lived experience as well as my professional qualifications helps facilitate your healing process.  I provide a safe healing space that enables you to explore your reality, perceptions, behaviors and thoughts so you can gain clarity, greater purpose and increased passion in your life.

As an intuitive counselor I work on a deep soul level with sensitive souls helping you to tap into your true power, remember who you truly are and recognize that being sensitive is not a weakness but an absolute strength.  By feeling and connecting with you our work together is always for your highest good.

By working with me your life will be transformed; assisting you on your awakening, ascension and journey to enlightenment enabling you to walk on your unique path, in flow, harmony, passion, abundance, empowerment and magic.

Hello there dear reader, my name is Hal, short for Haldun Hüseyin Musazlioglu (just call me Hal, everyone does).

When people ask me how I got into psychotherapy, I usually say it got to me first:
I was 12 years old when I first had to see a therapist. People near me (ironically not my parents) noted already back then my permanent gloomy and melancholic outlook on life – even this in Germany where I was born, by all means not a country known for its ‘cheerio!’ attitude. Years later, I was diagnosed with dysthymic depression and finally had to be put on anti-depressants aged 30 after a preceding psychotic episode (my way of a mid-life crisis: not blowing a lot of money, but instead losing gradually touch with reality). It was also around this time when my aunt in Turkey shared that the entire matrilineal side of our family had prolonged battles with depression. Thanks, mum.

On top of this, our Muslim upbringing didn’t aid much to my family’s mental health. It also doesn’t do much for you if you realise you’re gay, and you eventually need to come out. As I had to. And did. My mum cried for three months, realised eventually her son will never be the imagined prim solicitor/doctor with wife and kids, so reverted instead to hate my tattoos.

By age 19, I had properly felt sick and tired of that kind of constrained upbringing, also of the Germans, so moved to London (though frankly, now I feel like that with the English, but this is for a different forum…)

After several more years bumbling through various underpaid customer service jobs,  I studied Art & Design/more or less useful degrees (Furniture Design. Yes, seriously.) and tried myself out among other things as a film extra and a Stand-up comedian (memorably, I died in a North-London pub in front of an audience that consisted of my ex-boyfriend and Russell Brand), I looked finally into how I could use my own experiences with depression, inter-cultural clashes, emerging kink-sexualities, an HIV+ status and a fanatical liking for Heavy Metal, so I eventually studied counselling.

By 2012 I started my counselling studies and after around 5 years, including one failed year of CBT (blowing finally a lot of money after all), I decided to stick with the humanistic school of therapy of Person-Centred counselling, developed by Carl Rogers. From the 1940ies on, already being a bit of a hippie and believing that everyone is innately ‘good’, he decided to emphasise the non-hierarchical alliance between client and therapist, while maintaining an “unconditional positive regard”.

And I soon found it worked for me – and for my other job, which is in mental health rehabilitation.

Then in August 2019, I also started my MSc degree in Psychology with Arden University. My plan after I finish in around three years’ time, is to fall into a very relaxing coma.

Until then, I genuinely find a lot of fulfilment through my work, so please don’t hesitate to ask me questions about whatever life has thrown at you.

Das alles übrigens gerne auch auf deutsch!  ; )

When we go through life, our opinions alter and so do our thoughts on past and present experiences. Things we have been through previously can suddenly hit us like a ton of bricks and we don’t know where the thoughts came from. We can be watching tv, reading a book and all of a sudden, Anxiety we never had before rears its ugly head affecting us in ways we never thought of, disturbing our daily lives whether gradually or suddenly. We could be sitting in a cafe with friends, completing tasks at school/work and all of a sudden a huge wave of grief takes over us. I am here to help you explore these feelings learning ways to cope.

I am a qualified counsellor and have CBT as my core model of study. I have also had personal experience of mental & physical abuse, health issues, divorce, loss & bereavement, LGBT+ issues and many others from child, young person and adult perspectives therefore I am able to empathise with my clients issues and walk with them on their own path of life.

I have been a counsellor for over 20 years, working with people of all ages and from many different social and cultural backgrounds. I love working online because it brings a clear and powerful focus to communication, supporting the positive changes my clients are seeking to make in their lives.

I have worked in education and counselling for most of my working life, beginning as a teacher in adult and further education, then as a university lecturer, a head of department and wellbeing services manager. I have worked as a counsellor since 1999. I am a big music fan, an animal lover, traveller and an outdoorsy person – but I love cities too! I really enjoy my counselling work because I love people. We are all so different – and yet we share that essential thing of being human and living in this extraordinary, beautiful and sometimes cruel and terrifying world. If you choose to work with me, I will do my utmost to help you, to respect your uniqueness as a person, and to be with you in working through whatever issues your bring to the counselling sessions.

Find a way to live life in the present and recover from trauma: I am a UKCP Integrative Psychotherapist which is mind-body focused. I am certified in trauma work gained in Dublin, Ireland and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in York. A safe and respectful therapeutic relationship is what I offer. Central to much distress is feelings of shame and not feeling good enough and self-acceptance.  I am passionate about accompanying people on their journey to relieve suffering. I am experienced working with long-term conditions and life-threatening illness, students in the academic world life transitions, dementia, personality disorder,  relationships, identify, childhood abuse and stress and trauma.

Hello, my name is Karen and I am a person-centred counsellor, I became a counsellor after I experienced both bad and good counsellors and wanted to help people work through their issues in a positive way.

I live in Bristol with my partner and our dog

I have experienced many difficulties in my life and counselling has helped me process my emotions around these issues.

I know things are difficult at the moment with Covid-19 so I’m here to help if you need support. If you’re interested please get in touch and let me know how I can help. I offer a friendly and confidential one-to-one counselling service supporting adults, young people, and children with a variety of issues using an integrative approach.

When counselling I use an integrative approach that encompasses different therapies such as person-centred, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapies, hypnotherapy, creative, and play therapy. I find this then gives clients a tool box of skills that they can use, rather than just one approach.

I will be empathic, honest, and non-judgemental during our sessions. As well as my private practice, I work for Respect For All who specialise in counselling adults and children with autism. I have previously worked as a school and college counsellor.

I am a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with extensive NHS experience. I am the Mental Health Lead for the Cambridge Medical Academy (Cambridge University), where I train a global network of 800+ doctors and nurses in mental health. My research on improving access to mental health has been published internationally. I lecture at Southampton University teaching the Phd and MSc Psychology students. I provide in depth assessment and treatment for a range of psychological and emotional problems.

During my career, I have gained significant experience and supporting people to become psychologically and emotionally well again. Many of the patients I have supported have required specialist support with chronic anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, addiction and physical and psychological pain. I have in-depth clinical knowledge of how to manage complex psychological conditions.

My first degree in Anthropology and MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sit as a foundation for all of my professional work. This has included the clinical delivery and management of services for young people, troubled families and secondary care psychotherapy (complex comorbidity and Personality Disorders).

Hello, I am a very creative and warm, caring Therapist. I work very ethically and I am very dedicated and passionate about my work. I work holistically: I work with patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings and with the whole body.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
During my professional training, over a 6 year period, I obtained a Post Graduate Diploma and Masters Degree at The Gestalt Centre London, accredited by the London Metropolitan University. I am now an accredited psychotherapist by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and adhere to their code of ethics. I also have a Diploma in Supervision, completed in 2015.

Since training, I have worked within the NHS as a counsellor in GP surgeries and in a psychiatric hospital. I have worked as a psychotherapist at the Priory Hospital with individual clients and running therapy and psycho-educational groups for adults and adolescents on issues such as self-esteem, assertiveness and depression.

believe psychotherapy is essentially a creative process between therapist and client as I help you to find a new perspective on your life. Prior to my professional training, I worked as a designer and creative director within the advertising industry and have found this creative and artistic background an important resource as a psychotherapist.

My experience of working under the pressures of the commercial and corporate sectors in a number of different roles and of having traveled widely, have proved invaluable in my work with individuals and groups. This depth of life experience and cultural understanding is an important aspect of psychotherapy which demands an open and tolerant attitude towards a diversity of cultures, views and beliefs.

My interest in understanding how people think and behave has led to a number of written contributions to publications such as Psychologies magazine and the website, Big White Wall. I have also contributed to a number of articles featured in national newspapers which can be seen on the ‘Media/other projects’ page of this site. In January 2016 my work was featured in a TV programme about Facebook addiction called ‘On Friendship’.

HOW I WORK
I incorporate different techniques and theories tailored to suit the unique situation of each client or couple. These approaches include gestalt therapy, with its focus on the present; CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy) to identify and challenge distorted thoughts and perspectives and psychodynamic therapy which examines the past and how it has shaped us. Mindfulness, visualisations, role plays and creative experiments are offered to enliven the process with experiential learning providing tools to use outside the sessions. This integrative approach enables the flexibility to work with many different issues and concerns.